Communications Senior Analyst - Creative Writer/Storyteller

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) helps the United Nations (UN) and its partners provide peace and security, humanitarian, and development solutions. UNOPS services cover infrastructure, project management, procurement, financial management and human resources.

UNOPS in Ukraine provides a broad spectrum of services to the Government and the people of Ukraine with a portfolio of projects in the areas of rule of law, environment, energy efficiency, crisis recovery, good governance, human resources management, procurement, and logistics.

The Support for Rule of Law Reforms in Ukraine – PRAVO Police is a programme funded by the European Union that has been designed to support the creation of an efficient law-enforcement system respectful of human rights in support of the people of Ukraine, through the provision of necessary support to the National Police and other Ukrainian authorities in charge of civilian law enforcement.

Functional Responsibilities

The main objective of the assignment is to translate programme results into powerful compelling human stories related to Programme’s main areas of work.Under the direct supervision of the PRAVO Police Communications Officer, the consultant is expected to produce communications materials and human stories demonstrating UNOPS’ impact on the ground. The stories will be disseminated through the media, UNOPS communication channels, including but not limited to web site social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter) etc.

The Consultant will carry out the following activities:

• Review the background documents provided by UNOPS to obtain a better understanding of the goals and context to follow when developing the products.
• Create, edit and revise various forms of communication products such as social media posts, human stories, web articles, interviews, etc
• Identify success stories and gather engaging and compelling stories/content, by conducting desk review and/or interviews with selected partakers in the storytelling project.
• contextualize and design visual, text-based content as well as tailor and package key messages
• Provide UNOPS with drafts of the communications materials for comments/feedback by agreed deadline.
• Ensure timely incorporation of feedback (comments and requests for improvements) received from UNOPS into final drafts.
• Facilitate scaling up a tailored media outreach to secure coverage by the national and international media.

To ensure the delivery of the above tasks, the Consultant will:

• Liaise and ensure constant communication/coordination with the Communications officer regarding all aspects of the assignment;
• Submit all the deliverables for review, comments and approval to the Communications officer as requested;
• Extensive travel within Ukraine will be required. Cost of travel will be covered separately in accordance with existing UNOPS policies.

Copyrights

UNOPS owns all products under this contract. All copyrights of produced materials in any format are reserved to UNOPS. The products cannot be altered, sold or redistributed to third parties.

Monitoring and Project Controls

• Initial draft stories produced and provided to the Communications Officer in line with agreed timeline
• The stories produced in line with UNOPS and EU standards and guidelines.
• Human interest stories are tailored for traditional media as well as digital and social media platforms
• Visual identities, branding and logos should be included in line with UNOPS and EUDEL requirements

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Master’s degree in journalism & media, public relations, communications, linguistics, social sciences or other relevant disciplines.

• A bachelor’s degree in the above disciplines with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.

  Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in journalism, development communication, copywriting and placing of human centered stories and/or storytelling or similar field

• with national media or international print, broadcast, and/or new media;
• Excellent storytelling/ writing skills and ability to translate expert knowledge in language that can be understood by non-expert audiences proven by record (portfolio) of at least 10 published articles, human-centered success stories and/or other relevant publications;
• Familiarity with the issues related to international development (education or at least one year working experience in the related field) would be a strong advantage.
• Previous relevant experience with UN Agencies, international organizations or donors would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Russian and Ukrainian is required
• Working knowledge of English will be considered as an asset

Additional Requirements

• Candidates who apply for this position are expected to submit, together with the application, a portfolio in free electronic format (web links) with a minimum of 10 selected published author’s materials.

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA-Specialist, Retainer* Contract level: LICA 9 Contract duration: up to 100 workdays within a period of 8 months

*If the selected candidate is based in a duty station where there is a national scale, s/he may be offered the local equivalent position.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.